Silicon Anode Composition With Porosity and Conductive Path Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Silicon-based negative electrode active materials in lithium secondary batteries experience rapid volume expansion during charging, leading to disconnection of conductive paths and increased diffusion resistance of lithium ions, which deteriorates battery performance and limits their commercialization.

Innovation Solution

A negative electrode composition comprising a silicon-based active material, a pore securing material, and a linear conductive material, where the pore securing material is used to maintain porosity and the linear conductive material complements the pore securing material to enhance conductivity, thereby stabilizing the electrode structure and facilitating lithium ion diffusion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If a silicon-based compound is used as a negative electrode active material to increase capacity, then the discharge capacity is improved, but the volume expands rapidly during charging causing disconnection of conductive paths

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedischarge capacityVSAvoidconductive path connectivity

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent embeds a conductive material (graphite or carbon black) inside or around the silicon-based compound particles, creating a nested structure where the conductive material is positioned within the voids or on the surface of silicon particles. This nested configuration ensures that even when silicon expands during charging, the embedded conductive material maintains continuous conductive paths throughout the electrode structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite material system combining silicon-based compounds with conductive materials (graphite particles or carbon black). This composite structure leverages the high capacity of silicon while using the conductive material to maintain structural integrity and electrical conductivity during volume changes, resolving the contradiction between capacity improvement and conductive path stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Quantity of substance

If a silicon-based compound is used as a negative electrode active material to increase capacity, then the discharge capacity is improved, but the diffusion resistance of lithium ions increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedischarge capacityVSAvoiddiffusion resistance of lithium ions

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes the porous structure created by the particulate conductive material and the voids between silicon particles to facilitate lithium ion diffusion. The porous network provides multiple pathways for lithium ions to reach active sites, reducing diffusion resistance while maintaining the high capacity benefits of silicon-based materials.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

3Reliability

If a particulate conductive material is added to maintain conductive paths, then the conductivity is improved, but the pores in the electrode structure are blocked increasing diffusion resistance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconductive path connectivityVSAvoiddiffusion resistance of lithium ions

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by positioning conductive materials specifically in regions where they are most needed - embedded within or around silicon particles rather than uniformly distributed. This localized placement ensures conductivity is maintained at the particle level without excessively blocking pores, balancing conductive path connectivity with lithium ion diffusion requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The proposed composition effectively maintains porosity and conductivity, ensuring uniform lithium ion diffusion and electrode stability, thereby improving the service life and capacity characteristics of the battery.

Implementation Method 1

The negative electrode includes a negative electrode active material for intercalating and de-intercalating lithium ions from the positive electrode

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectIntercalation: Absorption (physical)

Implementation Method 2

a linear conductive material, where the pore securing material is used to maintain porosity and the linear conductive material complements the pore securing material to enhance conductivity

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Implementation Method 3

the diffusion resistance of lithium ions, which deteriorates battery performance

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDiffusion: Diffusion

Data Source

PatentUS20260024748A1Anode composition, anode comprising same for lithium secondary battery, and lithium secondary battery comprising same anode

Publication Date: 2026.01.22 LG ENERGY SOLUTION LTD

AI summary

A negative electrode composition, a negative electrode including the same, and a lithium secondary battery including the negative electrode are provided. The negative electrode composition comprises a porosity securing material and a linear conductive material, and thereby maximizing diffusion of lithium ions while maintaining porosity of the negative electrode, securing conductivity, and lowering resistance of the negative electrode.